Research supplements

Applying to College
1

I recently participated in a science research program where I learned some wet lab research techniques and conducted some original research (nothing super fancy or prestigious though). As an extension to the program, I wrote a short scientific report and literature review (1000-2000 words each) on my research topic. I know that some schools allow applicants to submit research supplements, and I was wondering if I should submit any of the two papers I wrote. The problem is, I’m not sure if they’re actually any good. Should I take a risk and submit them? Or should I just say I wrote a scientific report and literature review when describing the research program in the activities section?

Some more general questions about research supplements:

  • What exactly counts as a research supplement (e.g. scientific report, literature review)? How long should it be?
  • How good should my paper be if I want to submit a research supplement? Can a mediocre one hurt my application?
  • Are research supplements usually reviewed by faculty members/professors?
  • Does submitting a research supplement add credibility to my research EC?

Thanks!

2

In general, you can assume that it is unlikely that anybody will read an unpublished research supplement (not especially likely that anybody would read a published one for that matter).
in general, you can assume that the AO will note that you have put down ‘research’ in your application & attached a supplement & will take that as essentially self-validation. IF your paper was published the AO might send it on to a relevant department or prof.
in general an AO will spend a total of 15-20 minutes on your whole app- checking your stats, your transcript, reading your LoRs, reading your essays.

tl:dr- very low risk, but also likely very low reward to sending it.

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